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3 Sheets-Sheet 1'. A E. M. WILSON. LOOPING-IN MECHANISM AND OPERATOR APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE E XUHANGES.

Patented Feb. 5,1884.

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(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

' E. MA-WILSON.

' LooEING-IN MBGHANISM AND o EE ToEs APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE EXCHANGES.

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GROUND I To an whom it may concern UNITED STATES PATENT @rrica.

EUGENE M. WILSON, or woncns'rnn, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR or ONE- HALF TO ALICE P. CARPENTER, OF FOXOROFT, MAINE.

LOOPiNG-IN MECHANISM AND OPERATORS APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE-EXCHANGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 293,206, dated February 5, 1884.

Application filed J'uly28, 1883. (No model.)

Be it known that I, EUGENE M. WILSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vorcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looping-In Mechanism and OperatorsApparatus for Telephone-Exchanges; and I declare the following to be a descriptionof my said invention, suffi- 'ciently full, clear, and exact to enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

The objects of my present invention are to provide an efficient and convenient loopingin mechanism and operators apparatus for telephonic exchanges, whereby theoperators at central station. can receive and answer calls with ready facility and dispatch, and whereby cross-calls from one operator to another and the connection of lines through the different switchboard tables can be simply and easily accomplished by l the respective operators without delay or confusion. These objects I attain by mechanism, the nature, construction, and operation of which are shown in the drawings and explained in the following description, the particular subj ect-matterclai med being hereinafter definitely specified.

In the drawings, Figure l is a front view, Fig. 2 a plan View, and Fig. 3 a vertical sectional view, respectively, showing so much of a switch-board table or operator s apparatus for telephoneexchanges as is necessary to illustrate the nature of my invention. Fig. 4 is a plan view, onlarger scale, of 1ooping-in devices. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views, respectively, showing the looping-in slide in its two positions of adjustment. section of the looping-in slide. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrative of the manner in which the several-operators tables are connected for intercominunication. Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrative of the Switch-board connections through two of thetables, showing position of plugs and slides for signaling from first operator to a subscriber on lines through other operators tables. 1

In the reference to the drawings, A denotes the table upon which is located the apparatus, comprising the drops or indicators to and the Fig. 7 is a transverse switch-board B, which may be of any suitable construction, and also the improved loopingin and signaling devices and the apparatus for communicating with the different tables. The several tables are made to include as many lines as a single operator can conveniently managee-say thirty, moreor less-and as many difierent tables and operators can be employed as service requires at any particular exchangeoffice.

My improved looping'in devices may be employed in connection with any form of switch-board used for telephonic exchanges. I prefer, however, the form ofswitchboard illustrated, which is made inItwo sectionsone vertical and the other inclined-as a desk, the

facebeing formed of perforated strips or plates of insulating material, having beneath them vertical and lateral bars or wires, upon which a split switch-plug is used. Thebars in vertical direction connect with outlying lines, and'are termed line-bars, while the lateral bars connect with corresponding bars on other operators tables, and are denoted cross-bars? i The lower cross-bar of each switchboard is arranged to conduct to'ground, and on this the plugs 19 are set when not used for making connections between lines. The construction of this switch-board isnot of my invention, and it-need not therefore be herein described more fully than is necessary to give an understanding of the connection therewith of the other devices.

Along the front of the table, in number corresponding with lines in the switch-board, I arrange amain series, M, of looping-inslides (3, for looping in 'onthe main lines, and at the side of the table or other convenient locality I arrange a minor series, m, of similar l'ooping-in slides, for looping in on operators.lines, said minor series corresponding in number with the number of operators tables in' use, and lettered accordingly as said tables are designated. The slidesG and their connectionsare made as shown in detail in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7. V

A small metallic bar, 0, preferably of rectangular shape and about two and one-half inches in length, is fitted to slide or reciprocate in a suitable guiding sheath or case, 0,

that is attached to the tabletop A," as illus- 2 aaaece placed in a row parallel with each other, each I position on the groundingbar of the switchoccupying some three-fourths of an inch (more or less) space laterally, or the same lateral space as the line-bars of the switch-board, with which they correspond.

I The slide 0 isprovided with aknob or handle,c, preferably of insulating 1naterial,which projects above the guide-case, the latter being slotted for its reception, and by means of said knob the slide 0 can be easily moved forward and back as desired. A fiat spring, 0 Fig. 7, may be arranged between the bar 0 and case 0, to insure contact of the parts and to permit of its easy reciprocative .action. In line with and at one end of said slide 0 is a spring, D, set for downward pressure, and beneath it is a contact-bar, E, on which the spring descends. The end of the slide 0 is fitted to pass under the end. of the spring D and raise it from contact with the bar E when said slide is in its forward position. (See Fig. 5.) The end of the slide is preferablyshaped, as at c, with a beveled point and a curved surface at the back of it, thus leaving a ridge or angle to rub and bear against the spring D. At the opposite'end of the slide is arranged a spring, F, which makes contact with the slide-bar when the latter is drawn forward in the manner shown in Fig. 6. The contact bars E and spring-bars F each extend or connect through the entire series of looping-in devices, so that in operation any one of said devices connects with the same electric conductor as do the others. The spring Fis connected (by wire f) with the spine of a signaling-key, J, while the bar '13 is connected (by wire 6) with the spine of a similar key, I. These two keys I and J are located on a tablet at. the left of the switch-board, conveniently at hand for the operator, and near them is the switch-key H, for changing the points to take the current from either the power magneto-generator G, the electrical battery G, or the hand-generator G The bridges or back contacts, i and j, of the keys I and J are respectively connected with the wire orloop 7a, which includes the operators telephone K and transmitter K. The anvils or anvil-bar h for the keys I and J connects with the batteryor generator G through the switch-key H. The subscribers lines D con nect with the indicator-drops a, and thence to the springs D, of the main'series, each line wire connecting with a different spring, while the slides O or their guiding-cases are severally connected by wire (I with the respective line-- bars b ofthe switch-board. The normal position of the slide 0 is that shown in Fig. 5, (or the upper part of Fig. 4.) In this position the spring D is elevated from the bar E, and is in contact with the end of the slide 0, so that when a call occurs from a subscriber 011 any of the lines the current from such subseribers local generator comes in on line D, throws downthe drop a, passes through the spring D, slide 0, wire (2, line-bar b of switch-board, and thence to ground, the switch-plug being in board. \Vhen the slide 0 is drawn forward to the position of Fig. 6, (or lower one in Fig. 4,) the operators loop is is included within the circuit by the dropping of the spring D upon the contact-bar E, the discontact of the slide with the spring D, and its contact with the' In this condition the circuit is spring F. from the spring D by way of the bar E, wire 0, key J, back contact j, line K, through telephone and transmitter K K, back contact i,

key I, wire f, springs F, slide 0, and wire (Z to switch-board.

The slides O of the minor series on are of similar construction to those described, and are connected for communication between the several operators in the manner illustrated, the diagram Fig. 8'n1or'e particularly showing the system of circuits between the several operators tables and the manner of effecting the looping in of the operators instruments. In this series m of devicesthe contact-bars E are connected with the key J and the bar F is connected with the key I, the springs D and slides O are severally connected in the order shown according to their several designating letters or numbers, each circuit including an indicator or drop on the corresponding table, and both ends of thecircuits being grounded. Thus in the diagram shown four tables are included, which are designated Aikl 137%.; G543 Dii 4. The slide mechanisms of each table are arranged in regular order from the top 'downward to correspond. VVindicates the circuit for the A721 table, including the annunciator or drop 1 on said first table. WV indicates the circuit for the B$2 table and drop 2. IV indicates the circuit for the (W3 table and drop 3. WV indicates the circuit for the D 4 table and drop 4.

- The connecting-wires, from one end of the circuit to any table designated, are connected from springs D to slides O, and from such table to the other end of the circuit the order is changed, and the connections are from the slides O to springs D. The ground-lines o 1) connect with the slides O at both ends of the circuit. The left-hand key, J, isused for signaling on these interexchange lines and the lines that enter on other tables. than the one whereon the key is located, and the righthand key, I,is employed for signaling on outlying lines which enter on the same table to which the key belongs. This order of connecting the interexchange circuits can be directly reversed, (i. 'e., the ends of wires here shown connecting to springs D to be connected to slides G, and vice versa,) if desired, and the same general effect or results produced.

In the operation of the apparatus, when a call is received from a subscriberas, for instance, on line No. 5, table A.;1the operator simply draws forward the slide 0 (by means of its knob 0) corresponding to that line. This includes the operators loop 70 and instruments K K in the circuit, so that the wish of the subscriber can be ascertained. If commueeaeoc a nication. is desired with a line entering the. same table, it is simply necessary to place I the switch-board plugs accordingly. If communication is desired on aline entering on any other table-as, for instance, No. 70 on table C 3thefirst operator then, after ascertaining the want, moves back the No. slide G to normal position, places the switch-board plug P on the G !3 cross-bar in line-bar No. 5

of the switch-board, then moves forward the third slide 0 in the series m, and depresses key J. This sends an impulse onathe circuit WViwhich lets fall the drop 3, and calls the at tention of the 0% 3 operator, who is requested by A541 operator, through thetelephone, to place No. 70 plug on the corresponding cross-bar on that table. The first operator then moves back the slide of circuit WV, and again draws forward the slide of the line 5, and depresses theleft-hand key, J, to send the signal for calling upthe desired subscriber on line 70, the signal being sent direct to such subscribervbythe first operator, or the one who received the original call, the second operator having noth- .it at a handy and convenient position when dropped by the operator. The crane L may be made of a metal rod, bent at the proper angle and inserted through two screw-eyes, n n, fixed in the side ofthe table-frame, the rod being provided with a collar to prevent its dropping through the eyes it it too great a distance. The collar may be adjustably or rigidly attached to the red, as desired.

My improved apparatus is very convenient for the operators, and can be manipulated with ease and dispatch, and without liability of errors or confusion, so that the labor and delay in making exchanges are greatly reduced and simplified by its employment.

The individual operators tables can, if desired, be located in separate apartments, or

in one general apartment, as the intercommunication between operators is conducted by telephone through the interexchange lines IV WV &c., thus avoiding much confusion and annoyance incident to former exchange practice.

l/Vhat I claim as of my invention,-and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The slide-bar O, in'combination with its guide 0, springs D and F, and contact-bar E, with their respective conductors or wires, D d e f, substantially as and for the purpose described.

' 2. In a loopingin device for telephone apparatus, the reciprocative slide-bolt C, 1nount- ,ed in the guiding-case O, fixed upon the'ta- 'ble, and provided with the thumb-knob c, in combination with contact plates or springs at its front and rear ends, said parts being adapted for making and breaking the circuit through the operators loop, in the manner set forth.

3.. In a system of individual switchboard tables for telephone-exchange, the combination, substantially as described,. of the interexchange lines W W W 850., connecting with the indicating-drops on the respective tables, the reciprocating slides O, the springs D, the contact-plates E, and signaling-keys J I, connected with said contact-plates in series m. l

4. In a system of individual operators tables for telephone exchanges, the combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, of the lines D, connecting, through the annunciators or indicating'drops a on the tables, the main series M of springs and reciprocative slides, the switch-board B, the contactbars .13 and F, the signaling-keys I and J, the operators loop is, and electro-generator, with conducting-wires arranged and organized for operation as set forth.

5. In a system of individual operators tables for telephone-exchanges, the combination, with the switch-board B, the subscribers lines D, enteringthereon, and the operators loop is, ofa main series, M, of loopingin mechanism, constructed as shown and described, for looping in the operators instruments, and the minor series an of looping-in mechanism, with circuit-lines, as WVWV 82c, connecting with other tables, and the signal- 'ingkeys I and J, with their anvils, back contacts, and generator-conductors adaptedfor signaling in both said main and minor series of mechanism, as set forth.

e. The combination, with a switch-board table and telephone-lines entering thereon, of the series of springs D, connected to said lines, the reciprocating slide-bar O, mounted for action, as described, and connected with the line-bars b on the switch, the contact bars or plates'E and F at the respective ends of said slides, the signal-keys I and J connected with said plates and having their back contacts, t' and j, connected with the operators instrument, and the anvil h, connected withan electro-generator or battery, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination, with a switchboard stand for telephone'exchanges, of the swinging crane L and dependent chain Z, adapted for supporting the operators receiving tele phone, substantially as shown and described.

WVitness my hand this 14th day of July, A. -D. 18533.

EUGENE M. WILSON. 

